Infohut celebrates 40th graduation at Njube Youth Centre

IN Bulawayo, the Infohut programme is making a significant impact on young people’s lives. Last Friday, the Njube Youth Centre celebrated a milestone with the graduation of its 40th class.

Friends, family, and staff gathered to honour the achievements of the latest batch of graduates, marking four decades of empowering young minds and shaping futures.

Infohut, initiated by the Lutheran Communion in Southern Africa (LUCSA), was designed to help young people in Southern Africa who lacked opportunities to learn essential life skills. The programme is free of charge for students, although it costs US$50 to run, and is open to anyone regardless of their academic grades.

Running for six months, Infohut teaches computer skills, life skills, and provides education on HIV and Aids. With classes held four times a year, Infohut currently operates in Zimbabwe, South Africa, Namibia, Malawi, and Mozambique.

During the graduation ceremony, Infohut administrator Memory Gwenzi expressed her gratitude and highlighted the significant increase in student enrolment. Presently, there are 13 centres across the country, including Njube Youth Centre, Manama Bible School, Shashe Mission, Beitbridge Mission Primary School, West-Nicholson Mission Primary School, Zezani High School, Mnene Mission Primary, Masase Mission, Chegato Mission, Vashandiri Study Centre, Burure Mission Primary School, Martin Luther Burure Secondary, and the United Theological College (UTC).

“This graduation ceremony is a momentous occasion for me, as it marks the culmination of our students’ hard work and dedication. It’s a celebration of their achievements and a testament to the centre’s commitment to providing high-quality education and training. We celebrate our students’ achievements by hosting a formal graduation ceremony, where we award certificates to our graduates,” said Gwenzi.

She said that there have been many success stories from past students who have gone on to achieve great things in their careers. For example, some students who completed the ICT course are now ICT tutors at various schools, including Manama Mission Primary School, Mnene Mission Primary, and West Nicholson Primary. Others who completed the Cutting and Designing course are now self-employed, sewing school uniforms, attire, and occasionally dresses.

“We track the progress and success of our graduates through various means, including surveys, alumni events, and social media. We also maintain a database of our graduates, which allows us to monitor their career progression and provide ongoing support and guidance,” Gwenzi explained.

She also highlighted the partnerships established with local employers and industry organisations, which provide valuable insights into the job market and help tailor their programmes to meet the needs of employers.

“Our plans for future growth and development include expanding our programme offerings to meet the changing needs of our students and the community. We also plan to invest in new technology and infrastructure to enhance the learning experience and improve operational efficiency. Furthermore, we are planning to establish new partnerships with local employers and industry organisations to provide our students with more opportunities for work experience and employment,” said Gwenzi.

She said that new programmes in graphic designing, till operation, hairdressing, and cosmetology are set to be launched.

“These will provide our students with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in this rapidly growing field. I see the centre evolving to meet the changing needs of our students and the community by becoming more agile and responsive to the needs of the job market. We will continue to invest in new technology and infrastructure to enhance the learning experience and improve operational efficiency.

**Infohut 40th class celebrates completion of training at Njube Youth Centre with relatives and facilitators**

“We will also continue to establish new partnerships with local employers and industry organisations to provide our students with more opportunities for work experience and job placement. Additionally, we will continue to expand our programme offerings to meet the changing needs of our students and the community,” Gwenzi said.

One of the top students who graduated, Natasha Manyika, who studied Computer Skills and Life Skills, beamed with pride as she expressed her happiness about her achievement.

“What motivated me to work diligently and achieve excellence in my course was my desire to acquire new skills and improve employability. I wanted to gain confidence in using computers and develop essential life skills that would enable me to make a positive impact in the community.”

Manyika plans to utilise the skills and knowledge she has acquired to improve her career prospects.

“I aim to use my computer skills to support local businesses and organisations, especially those dealing with HIV and Aids, as young people are in grave danger in the outside world. I would love to mentor and empower young people and those who are disabled in my community.

I’m excited to apply my skills in real-world settings and make a positive difference.”
Rudo Makono, a teacher from Nkulumane High School and also a graduate of Infohut, joined the programme in January 2024 to pursue a course in Computer Skills and Life Skills.

“As a teacher who joined the service when technology was not yet in full swing, it was difficult for me to cope with learners who are advanced in technology. Everything at work now requires someone who is computer literate, such as e-scheming, online research, and conducting some lessons online. This pushed me to do the computer and life skills course at Infohut,” she said.

She plans to use the skills attained at Infohut in her workplace by joining the Computer department and equipping learners with computer skills.
@Lo7246Lovelyn